Walk to School In Safety
How Smart are You?
Children know that using active
transportation to and from school is part of
a healthy lifestyle, it’s good for the
environment and it makes them feel
happier.
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I talk you listen You talk I listen
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We need to talk a while
• It’s especially important to watch out for children’s safety when they’re
walking. Nearly one out of every five children ages 5 to 9 years who died in
traffic were pedestrians. Child pedestrians are at higher risk for injuries
than adults for several reasons:
Size
• Kids’ smaller size makes them difficult for drivers to see, especially if
they’re standing between parked cars on the side of the road.
Inability to Judge Distances and Speeds
• Because of their age and developmental stage, it's harder for them to
judge distances and vehicle speeds. This can lead them to misjudge when
it's safe to cross the street.
Lack of Experience with Traffic Rules
• Kids’ young age and developmental stage can make it hard for them to
apply traffic rules in real–life settings. Also, drivers and child pedestrians
may each assume, incorrectly, that the other will yield the right–of-way.
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Barriers to walking and
bicycling to school
Community Time and
Safety
Design Convenience
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Even the Crown thinks you should walk
safe
• The whole of the 20th century has always put the car
at the center. So by putting the pedestrian first, you
create these livable places I think, with more attraction
and interest and character ... livability."
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It so simple a no risk if you do it right
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Walking or Biking Always be seen
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Constable TP’s Safety Mantras
I always check first with my parents or the person in charge
before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I
know.
I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I
accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.
I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.
I know my name, address, telephone number and my parents'
full names.
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I say no LOUDLY if someone tries to touch me or treat
me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable
or confused. If they do not stop I WILL SCREAM
CONTINUALLY!
I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I
feel scared, uncomfortable or confused.
It's okay to say no even to an adult, and I know that
there will always be someone who can help me.
I am strong, smart and have the right to be safe.
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Think about my walk
• Walking Safety
• Practice and remind children to
• • Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and
• you have to walk in the road, face the traffic so that
• you can see cars coming and keep as far from the roadway
• (as far away from the traffic) as possible.
• • Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks. (If there is a crosswalk button,
• press the button and wait for the walk sign to indicate that it is safe to cross.)
• a. Stop at the curb or edge of the road, look left, then right, and then left again
(leftright-
• left) before you step into the street. If a car is parked where you are crossing,
• make sure there is no driver in the car. Then go to the edge of the car and look
leftright-
• left until no cars are coming. Keep looking for cars while you are crossing.
• b. Walk, don’t run. This gives time for drivers to see you before you enter the
roadway.
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Threat – Risk– Hazard!
• The threat of being injured or killed while
walking is a serious concern for many
individuals and sometimes a very real problem
that communities must face.
• Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of
general industry accidents. They cause 15% of
all accidental deaths, and are second only to
motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.
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Mental Distractions from home:
Having a bad day at home and worrying about it
at work is a hazardous combination. Dropping
your 'mental' guard can pull your focus away
from safe work procedures. Don't become a
statistic because you took your eyes off the
sidewalk or walking surface "just for a minute."
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Safety tips for pedestrians
• Be safe and be seen: make yourself visible to
drivers
• Wear bright/light colored clothing and
reflective materials.
• Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
• Cross in a well-lit area at night.
• Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or
other obstacles before crossing so drivers can
see you.
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WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHING
• Clothing should protect you from cold, wind, and precipitation and
should also provide ventilation—be "breathable".
• Protect head, feet, hands, and face. Keep dry.
• Cover your head. Up to 40 percent of body heat can be lost when the
head is exposed.
• Footgear should be insulated to protect against cold and dampness.
• Dress in layers, wearing warm, waterproof/resistant clothing.
An outer layer to break the wind and allow some ventilation (like Gore-Tex® or nylon).
A middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric (Qualofil or Pile) to absorb sweat and retain
insulation in a damp environment. Down is a useful lightweight insulator; however, it is
ineffective once it becomes wet.
An inner layer of synthetic weave to allow ventilation. Synthetic materials such as
supplex and coolmax are ideal because they keep you warm and dry.
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Who was that guy
• Remind students and friends:
• • Stay with a group.
• • If a stranger offers you a ride, say “NO!”
• • If a stranger follows you on foot, get away from him or her as quickly as you can.
If a stranger follows you in a car, turn around and go the other direction.
• • Never leave school with a stranger.
• • Tell a trusted adult if a stranger is hanging around the school, playground, or
public restroom.
• • Leave items and clothing that display your name, so that a stranger can read it,
at home.
• • If you arrive home alone, call your mother, father, or other trusted adult to let
them know you are home and all right. Keep the door locked, don’t open the door
for strangers, and don’t tell strangers that you are home alone.
• • Never accept things from a stranger.
• • If a stranger asks you a question, don’t talk. Run away.
• • Don’t go anywhere with a stranger.
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Buses of any kind
• School Bus Safety
• • When the bus arrives, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet)
away from the curb.
• • If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the
sidewalk or along the
• side of the road until you are five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the
bus. Then you can
• cross the street.
• • Be sure the bus driver can see you and you can see the bus driver.
• • Never walk behind the bus.
• • If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try
to pick it up first
• because the driver may not be able to see you.
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Use the traffic lights-teach an adult
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Be smart and alert: avoid dangerous
behaviors
• Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no
sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact
with drivers, don't just look at the vehicle. If a
driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying
enough attention to drive safely.
• Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look
before you cross the road.
• Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars
when in parking lots and near on-street parking
spaces.
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Be careful at crossings: look before
you step
• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if
possible.
• Obey traffic signals such as WALK/DON'T WALK signs.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
• Watch for turning vehicles; make sure the driver sees
you and will stop for you.
• Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear
each lane before proceeding. Just because one
motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes
can see you and will stop for you.
• Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while
crossing.
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One more time say that phrase
1. Always look for cars for yourself. Drivers
are supposed to obey the rules and watch for
people walking. But you can not count on
them to always remember.
2. Choose the safest routes to walk with the
fewest and safest streets to cross. Avoid
crossing busy or high-speed roads.
3. Walk along the street safely. This means:
Use sidewalks or paths.
If there are no sidewalks or paths, walk as
far from the cars as possible and face traffic.
Watch for cars turning or pulling out of
driveways.
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Oh more you say
4. When crossing the street at mid block:
Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again for
traffic.
Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing. Keep
looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
Walk, don’t run across the street.
5. If you must cross between parked cars:
Stop at the curb and check to see if the cars are running
or if anyone is in the driver seat.
If safe, cross to the edge of the parked cars, and look left,
right and left again before crossing.
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Look for yourself
6. When crossing the street at an intersection:
Obey traffic signs and signals.
Remember that just because it is your turn to cross
does not mean that it is safe to cross. Do not trust
that cars will obey the rules or that turning cars will
see you.
Look for yourself to see if cars are coming. Look left,
right and left and then behind you and in front of
you for turning cars.
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When I'm good I take my bike
• Bicycling Safety
Practice and remind children to
• Always wear a helmet that is properly fitted and complies with
parents and the law
• Ride on the right side of the road or trail in a single file (one bicycle
behind another) in the same direction as other vehicles and come to a
complete stop before crossing streets.
• Stop completely before crossing railroad tracks and go straight across
the tracks slowly.
• Always use proper hand signals when turning and stopping.
• Be courteous to pedestrians.
• Use a bicycle bell to alert pedestrians that you are passing (this is
effective for preventing crashes).
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It never hurts to remember
• Instruct your child to always take a friend when walking or riding a bike to
and from school.
• Even though there is safety in numbers, when it is possible provide
supervision for your young children. Whether it is you as a parent or an
older sibling, this will help insure their safe arrival to and from school.
Your child should stay with a group while waiting at the bus stop. If anyone
should bother your child, you should teach him or her to get away from
that person, and tell a trusted adult.
You should visit the bus stop with your children and learn the bus number.
Instruct your children that if someone they don't know or feel comfortable
with offers a ride, say NO. A stranger is someone you don't know.
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Always Tell an Adult
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Don’t be the Clever Coyote
No one had an idea. They were too
afraid of the monster to think at all.
Always tell if you think something is
wrong
Always tell the truth don’t make up a
story
Everyone needs your knowledge to be
safe—even adults
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•
Tell an Adult foot to get away from
Tell your children that if someone follows them on
him or her as quickly as possible. If someone follows them in a vehicle,
they should turn around and go in the opposite direction. They should go
where a trusted adult can help and advise them what happened.
• Teach your children if someone ever tries to take them somewhere, they
should quickly get away and yell. (This person is trying to take me away.)
• Children should be taught to never leave school with someone they don't
feel comfortable with or know. They should always check with you or
another trusted adult first. Even if the person says it is an emergency, they
should check first.
• If your child walks to school, walk the route to and from with your children
pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they are being followed or
need help. Make sure that their route takes them on main roads rather
than through isolated areas or would be short cuts.
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Who
What
When The 5 W’s and the H
Where
Why
How
Reporters use the 5 W’s and the H, all the time to ask
questions.
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Have slurp of something
• If your walk will take more
than 20 minutes, plan for a
cup of water every 20
minutes by carrying it with
your or locating water
fountains. After arrival,
have a glass of water. For
walks of 30 minutes or
more, it is good to have a
small post-walk snack that
includes protein and
carbohydrate to help your
body build muscle and
restore energy.
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Be The Invisible Warrior in your home
Tell others what you know
Teach others about your
safety skills
Show others by doing
the right things and
actions lead by
example
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Enjoy the journey observe the risks
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